Rail Tours Through Jasper

The wide-open spaces and rugged expanses that make up the Canadian Rockies seem like a scene from a by-gone age, one where elk and caribou roam and civilization has yet to encroach. There’s no better way to experience the spectacular countryside of Jasper National Park than by a classic form of conveyance: a train. With several options to choose from, there’s a route and experience that will allow you to enjoy the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape without lifting a finger.

For those with less time to explore, consider a half-day train tour from Jasper to Harvey on Via Rail’s westbound Skeena line. Passengers will enjoy the views in a while experiencing the classic experience of train travel and ride over Yellowhead Pass, follow the Fraser River and ride past the highest mountain in the Canadian Rockies, Mount Robson. Upon reaching Harvey, guests disembark and are returned to Jasper via the historic Yellowhead Highway.

Those visitors with more time should sign up for a two-day trip. Traveling only during the daylight to maximize possible views, the train passes through Jasper National Park with sweeping views of the Canadian Rockies. From rocky crags to lake-speckled valleys, guests will enjoy hours of uninterrupted vistas before overnighting in Prince George. The train then continues through Yellowhead Pass, across the interior plateau and along the Skeena River. An upgrade to Touring class gives access to the Panorama car, where extra-large windows give breathtaking, unobstructed views.

There are a multitude of opportunities to explore Jasper National Park by rail. A trip aboard the luxury Rocky Mountaineer is a five-star experience, one that can be customized for levels of service and days of travel. Other options include a circle tour from Edmonton to Jasper and back again (with nights spent in a Jasper hotel) and the snow train, which delivers guests to Jasper and Marmot Basin, the highest ski resort in the Canadian Rockies.